Downtown Cupey is the ideal venue for anyone looking for delicious food, cold beers, and unique entertainment for all ages in Cupey — a popular district in San Juan.
The area that used to be a concrete and cement manufacturing company called Concretos del Norte, has now been transformed into what could be San Juan’s newest, and most visited hangout spot.
Roam Puerto Rico had the pleasure of interviewing Virgenesis Rodriguez, manager of Downtown Cupey. She gave the backstory and timeline that brought this place to life, which took six years and a $1.5 million investment.
Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about Downtown Cupey.
Downtown Cupey Highlights
- Pet-friendly
- Variety of food options
- Family ambiance
- Diverse options of local and international craft beers
- Open space with lots of seating options
- Great service
- Free and ample parking area
- Clean facilities
- Digital payments only; no cash
About Downtown Cupey
The idea of creating this space came from the owner’s love of traveling, and how he would always look for the Downtown area of each place he visited.
At the time, there wasn’t an area in Puerto Rico called or labeled as the must-visit “Downtown”.
The vision was to create a space that everyone in the family could enjoy and feel like they were right at home. That’s why you may spot many seating areas that resemble a family room — a couple of chairs, a futon, and a table right in the center. Downtown Cupey wanted to create this feeling of being in your own space while being surrounded by many different groups.
To achieve their vision, every one of Downtown Cupey’s employees is guided by their motto which states: “We are at our best when we serve others”. And that’s precisely how they make you feel when you arrive.
When you drive through the main entrance, a security guard will happily greet you, ask if this is your first time visiting Downtown Cupey, and provide you with directions on where to park.
After parking your car, there are two entrances you may walk through.
The first is right in front of the main gate. You will notice the first restaurant called Fogatta — a pizzeria that lets you create your own pizza however you like and is ready in less than 10 minutes. What makes Fogatta’s pizza a must-try is their Italian oven, which is only 1 of 4 in Puerto Rico.
The second entrance is located on the rear side of Downtown Cupey where most of the cars are sent to park. After parking your car, you will notice a set of stairs that will take you straight to Tomasa’s, an ice cream and coffee shop, and the Victory Beer Garden where you will have over 20 local and international craft beers to choose from; there are also beers on draft but make sure to ask what is available when you visit.
Walking around Downtown Cupey, you might notice many vintage pieces that give the entertainment venue a unique aesthetic. Currently, there are over 80 vintage items, which as odd as it may sound, provides the area with a modern look.
We had the opportunity to briefly speak with Luz Bonilla, the “doer” of Downtown Cupey, and she gave us an insight into her favorite vintage piece: a concrete block with a kilometer number that is thought to have been carved by a slave. The concrete block is located next to the Victory Beer Garden.
As a way to generate interest for their vintage pieces, Luz excitedly told Roam Puerto Rico that each of the vintage pieces will have a QR code that customers can scan to learn more about the history of the pieces.
Part of the events that take place in Downtown Cupey include live bands that play a variety of music, social bike rides, and eventually, they would like to bring “microteatros”, invite writers, beer/wine events, and many other great activities. It is very important for them to always keep innovating and keep their public interested in coming back.
What to know before visiting Downtown Cupey
Digital Payments only
To make things much more efficient (and safe), Downtown Cupey only accepts digital payments. This means a credit card, debit card, and ATH Movil, a local payment service where customers can pay and/or send money to each other right from their mobile devices.
Online Menus
At the time of writing, Downtown Cupey has four food stall options.
- Fogatta, a pizzeria
- La Compañia, a small stand that serves juicy burgers and fries
- Tomasa’s Ice Cream and Cafe
Currently, only Fogatta, La Compañia, and Tomasa have their menus available online. We recommend checking them out before visiting.
Reservations are required for events and special occasions
If you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion such as birthdays, group activities, or corporate events, among others, you can make a reservation by filling out a form on Downtown Cupey’s website.
Reservation pricing ranges from $75 to $300.
Early Closing Schedule
Downtown Cupey has an uncommon schedule compared to other entertainment venues in Puerto Rico. They are only open Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 11 pm.
We recommend an early arrival at around 5 pm since the venue can get busy, and you might have to park farther from the entrance.
Beer is King
Downtown Cupey prides itself in providing its customers with a wide selection of both local and international craft and draft beers at the Victory Beer Garden.
To keep customers coming back, the team rotates their beer offerings every so often. Always make sure to ask the team members about their craft and draft beer options of the day.
💡Roam Puerto Rico Tip: The Victory Beer Garden next to Fogatta usually has more craft beer options, while the one next to Tomasa’s has more draft beer options.
Limited Liquor options
Don’t worry if you do not drink beer, Downtown Cupey brought in a small orange truck called ‘La Cantina’ that offers approximately four drinks
- Mojitos
- Moscow Mule
- Madras
- Sangria
Visitors can find ‘La Cantina’ near the main entrance parking lot just beside the antique Texaco gas station decoration.
As of this writing, depending on availability, you might also find wine options such as Pinot Grigio and/or Merlot.
Things to Do in Downtown Cupey
Even though Downtown Cupey is still in its development phase, there is still a lot to do.
- Play games like bean bag toss
- Check out the various antique decorations like the antique Texaco gas station or the classic Pepsi and Coca-Cola vending machines
- Listen to live music
- Learn Salsa dancing by signing up for classes (when available)
- Celebrate your birthday and special occasions with close friends and family
What to Eat and Drink in Downtown Cupey
We recommend trying out all the food options available at Downtown Cupey. Additionally, it is suggested to arrive early since wait times can be long the later it gets.
Eat
Tomasa’s Ice Cream & Coffee
Grab a nice cup of coffee or cool down with some delicious ice cream at Tomasa’s.
Fogata
Pizza lovers, this is for you!
Fogata is a unique option for anyone wanting to try something different. Their unique Italian oven will cook your personalized pizza in less than 10 minutes.
Roam Puerto Rico recommends trying out Fogata’s specialty pizzas. Our top favorites were the Chicken Carbonara and the Honey Pepperoni.
Fogata also has vegan options, as well as cauliflower dough, if you want to take care of your caloric intake.
La Compañía
If you love classic burgers and fries combination, this is your go-to food option.
Roam Puerto Rico recommends trying out “El Jefe”, a half-pound burger that includes cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes, and add the truffle fries, which are made right at Downtown Cupey and include salt, pepper, parmesan cheese, and parsley.
Currently, La Compañia offers two sizes for their fries options: full time, which is enough for one person; and overtime, which is suited for more than one person.
If you want to add any extras to your juicy burger, here are some options:
- Blue cheese or muenster
- Extra cheese
- Extra bacon
- Caramelized onions
- Sauteed mushrooms
- Fried egg
Drink
Victory Beer Garden
Grab a cold beer at the Victory Beer Garden. Currently, there are two stands in Downtown Cupey — one on the exterior next to Tomasa’s and the other inside the main building next to Fogata.
La Cantina
La Cantina is a mobile bar that serves mojitos, Moscow mules, madras, and sangrias for a reasonable price.
Downtown Cupey Summary
Downtown Cupey is certainly a one-of-a-kind entertainment venue in Puerto Rico. With good food, a variety of beers, entertainment options, events, and the rich history of their antique decorations, we are confident that the possibilities are endless.
Roam Puerto Rico asked about the likelihood of integrating cryptocurrency payments as part of their digital payments-only option. Virgenesis replied saying they had not thought of that but could be something to consider in the future.
With only less than 4 months being open, and a young and energetic team to support this entire operation, Downtown Cupey is a must-visit. Make sure to follow them on social media to learn more about the different events to come.
